Understanding and Disrupting the Stages of a Potential Attack

Disclaimer: The ideas shared in this post are meant to offer insight and inspiration, but they are not a guarantee or a one-size-fits-all solution for dangerous situations. Each scenario is unique, and no single piece of advice can resolve every threat. The goal here is to increase your awareness of how violent incidents typically unfold, so you can potentially disrupt an attacker’s plans at any stage.

The Real Goal of Self-Defense

Self-defense isn't about "beating up the bad guy," despite what action movies often suggest. The true goal is to prevent physical harm to yourself or the people you are protecting. Ideally, self-defense is about avoiding violent confrontations entirely or de-escalating a situation before it turns dangerous.

Understanding the mindset and process of a potential attacker can help you disrupt their plan before it escalates to violence. This brings us to the five phases of a violent attack. Each phase is an opportunity for you to take action and interrupt the attacker’s plan, ideally removing yourself from harm’s way before the situation becomes physical.

The Five Phases of a Violent Attack

Planning

In the first phase, the attacker is developing their intention to commit the crime. They are looking for an opportunity, weighing whether they can get away with it, and selecting a victim. They haven’t yet committed, but they are thinking about it.

Your goal: The best defense is to avoid being targeted in the first place. If you appear alert, confident, and aware of your surroundings, you are less likely to be seen as an easy target. Criminals tend to avoid victims who seem like they might resist or complicate the attack.

Action: Walk with purpose, avoid distractions like your phone, and maintain good posture. Make yourself a hard target by staying aware of people around you, avoiding unsafe areas, and appearing confident.

Assessment

In this phase, the attacker is subtly assessing whether you will be a good victim. They might approach you, ask a question, or try to engage in conversation to see how you react. This is where they gauge whether you’ll be easy to overpower.

Your goal is to make it clear that you are not an easy target. Respond confidently and assertively. If someone makes you uncomfortable or seems suspicious, trust your instincts. You do not owe anyone politeness if you feel unsafe.

Action: Use clear, assertive language and body posture. For example, if someone asks a strange question or gets too close, a strong and direct “I’m not interested” or “Leave me alone” signals that you are not an easy target. Make eye contact, and don't hesitate to raise your voice if needed. Extending your hand to mark your personal boundaries might also be a good idea.

Positioning

This phase is where the attacker moves to physically position themselves to launch the attack. They might close the distance, trap you in a corner, or cut off your escape routes. It’s a crucial moment because they are preparing to strike.

Your goal is to prevent them from getting into a good position. They made their intention clear. Be aware of your surroundings, and if someone behaves suspiciously or tries to corner you, move away. If you feel like you’re being followed, change your route, and move toward well-lit, populated areas or seek help from a nearby store or person.

Action: Keep moving and create distance. If someone seems to be positioning themselves for an attack, act quickly by using your voice, calling attention to the situation, or relocating to a safer location. If you’re in a vulnerable position, activating a personal alarm here could disorient the attacker and draw attention.

Engagement

This is the moment when the attacker makes their move, whether through physical violence, robbery, or assault. Their goal is to surprise and quickly overwhelm you.

Your goal: If the situation reaches this phase, your primary focus is to minimize harm and create an opportunity to escape. Self-defense techniques and accessories can be lifesavers at this stage.

Action: Using personal alarms, Farb-Gel sprays, or other non-lethal self-defense tools can disrupt the attacker and give you precious moments to get away. Activate your personal alarm to draw attention and disorient the attacker, or use a self-defense spray to impair their vision. Even without accessories, focus on striking vulnerable areas like the eyes, throat, or groin to buy yourself time to flee and get to safety.

Escape

After the attack, there will be a brief moment where the attacker reacts to your resistance. They may be surprised, confused, or disoriented if you have managed to defend yourself or escape.

Your goal: Seize this opportunity to get away. This may be the moment where the attacker reconsiders their actions if things aren’t going according to plan.

Action: Run. If you’ve disrupted their plan, take the chance to flee to a safe place. Use your phone to dial emergency services, alert others around you, and seek help.

Disrupting the Attack at Every Phase

The key to self-defense is recognizing these phases and disrupting the attack at any point you can. Ideally, you prevent an attack before it even starts by removing yourself from the situation during the Planning phase. However, if things escalate, your goal is to keep disrupting the attacker’s plan at every stage until you can get away safely.

Remember, the goal is prevention, not fighting. By understanding these phases, you can make yourself a harder target, trust your instincts, and take actions that could keep you safe.